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Tympanum was recorded live, and contains “in the moment” dramatic duet improvisations by pianist Jane Buttars and cellist David Darling. Their melodies intertwine as they listen deeply through sound and silence. From dancing staccato rhythms to smooth melodic lines, both musicians express through the tones and colors of their instruments. They match or compliment one …

My husband is sitting at the piano, arms crossed, elbows to finger-ends pressing down the keys, forehead resting on his arms, dead tired after a long, stressful day. “That’s a great sound,” I say. “Do it again.” He does–several times. He gets interested. Sitting up, he experiments with elbow, palm, and forearm sounds in different …

“That was fun!” “I never thought of improvising right along with my students—what a great idea!” “I’m going to make improvisation a requirement for my piano classes.” “I think it’s sad that in all my long years of professional classical training, no one ever encouraged me to improvise my own music.” These were some reactions …